Constable hit by truck may have severe head injuries, Liberty Co. Sheriff says

Investigators are still trying to piece together a violent crash in Dayton that left a Liberty Co. constable in the hospital

KTRK

Thursday, February 16, 2017

DAYTON, TX (KTRK) --

Eyewitness News has learned more information about the Liberty County Precinct 1 constable who was in a serious car accident while directing traffic.

As of 3am Thursday, Liberty County Precinct 1 Constable Justin Johnston was in critical condition after surgery, according to the sheriff's office. We're told Johnston had bleeding in his brain and was in a medically induced coma.

Johnston was hit at the intersection of FM 1413 and Highway 146 in Dayton on Wednesday afternoon, and had to be taken by Life Flight to Memorial Hermann Hospital.ORIGINAL REPORT: Liberty Co. Pct. 1 Constable hit by truck in Dayton

A Liberty County constable is in the hospital after being struck by a truck as he directed traffic on Wednesday.

Here's what we know so far: Johnston was directing traffic with several other deputies when he was hit.Investigators said Samuel Leyva slammed into Johnson with a red pickup, speeding down the shoulder of the road, and going through barricades right before the accident.

The driver allegedly slammed into several patrol vehicles in addition to hitting Johnston.

The big question this morning is simply why: Why did this driver allegedly drive around stopped traffic and road blocks? Investigators aren't saying if he had drugs or alcohol in his system.

DPS said the driver of the pickup also had his 8-year-old daughter in the back seat when the crash happened. Both of them were flown to Memorial Hermann alongside the constable. The driver of the pickup had a broken leg. The little girl is doing fine.

DPS tells us that no charges have been filed against Leyva

We're following this story on Eyewitness News. Watch for updates on air, online and on our mobile news app.